Venus and Adonis

Maybe it's just the ancient studies of that far-off teenage years that was calling out to me, but I had this insane urge to reread this classic poem of lust. It contrasts nicely with the recent romance novels that I've had the dubious enjoyment of reading. It's particularly nice to see a strong-headed woman who feels no issue with chasing after a man who would rather spear a boar than her. I wonder if Adonis was actually Scottish? Maybe West-Virginian? Alas, alak, would he rather swive a swine than appeal to Aphrodite? Wait. Am I talking about romance novels or Shakespeare? Damn... nothing is ever clear-cut.

According to Crispin Elsted, of the Barbarian Press, Venus & Adonis is one of two lengthy narrative poems written by Shakespeare early in his career, when plague forced the closure of the theatres and he took the opportunity to write something non-theatrical. This poem, The Rape of Lucrece, and probably the sonnets – or at least a good many of them – date from the early 1590s.

Having recently read Lysistrata, I was struck by the two different approaches taken by the women in these two books. In Lysistrata, the women refuse to have sex with the men until they end a senseless war (Hmmmm...are you reading this Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Cheney?); while in Venus & Adonis the heroine tries to keep Adonis from dangerous boar hunting with all that show more her love can offer. It worked for Lysistrata but not for Venus.

I love Shakespeare's use of natural imagery in the verse:

Fondling, she saith, since I have hemd thee here
Within the circuit of this ivorie pale,
Ile be a parke, and thou shalt be my deare:
Feed where thou wilt, on mountaine, or in dale;
Graze on my lips, and if those hils be drie,
Stray lower, where the pleasant fountaines lie.

As for this edition from Barbarian Press, it is out of this world. The illustrations by Andy English are absolutely beautiful. The setting and choice of type and the binding make the book a joy to hold and read. This was my first book from the Barbarian Press and I highly recommend a look by those interested in small private presses. The proprietor's are delightful and knowledgeable as well.

Venus & Adonis was shortlisted for the first Gregynog Prize for Letterpress Book Design, Oxford, 2005. show less

Good poem, dedicated to the Earl of Southampton. Shakespeare regarded it as his first publication, and that statement necessarily excluded his dramatic work. Th poem is not a retelling of any Greek or Roman work, but a love story using the names the readers would find common enough to set the matter of the poem firmly in their minds without descending to the gritty particulars. It was quite popular during the playwright's lifetime. It bears up well under rereading.

Try as she might, the Lusty Venus doesn't succeed in seducing Adonis. Unfortunately for her, he's more interested in hunting boars which proves to be his downfall.

One of Shakespeare's narrative poems. It's been about a year and a half since I read it, but I remember really enjoying it at the time. It's beautifully written. One thing I found entertaining was the fact that Venus was so lustful and domineering over Adonis. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys Shakespeare's plays.

poetry of love and lust